Power boat



June 15,1937. J. R. MCMULLEN 2,083,959

' POWER BOAT Filed Feb. 27, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor fi z. Mfia/Aw? 1 By Wm. M l g A llomelw J. R. M MULLEN POWER BOAT June 15,1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1936 Patented June 15, 1937 UNETED Si l"3 Claims.

My invention relates generally to self-propelled boats, and particularlyto a power boat suitable for passenger and cargo service, and for highspeed navigation, and an important object of the invention is to providea simple and well balanced boat of this character having an invertedkeel forming a Water tunnel in which propelling means works. s

Another important object of my invention is to provide a stable andeasily manuevered power boat of the character indicated which is strongand rugged while being comparatively light in weight.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a power boat ofthe character indicated above in which maximum use is made of hullformation and power application to procure efficiency in expenditure ofpower for propelling the boat.

Other important objects of my invention will be apparent from a readingof the following description in connection with the drawings, whereinfor purposes of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of myinvention.

In the drawingsz- Figure 1 is a bottom plan View of the embodiment.

Figure 2 is a front end elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken through Figure1.

Figure 4 is a rear end elevational view.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 generally designatesthe hull which in plan outline may follow the accepted contour of arelatively sharp nosed squared sterned boat, but has the bow undercut asindicated by the numeral 5 so as to form a spoon-bow running from theforward extremity of the hull to the point Opposite sides of the bottomof the hull are 40 laterally inwardly curved as indicated by thenumerals 2 and 9 and at points laterally displaced from the longitudinalcenter of the hull, the forward ends of the sides 8 and 9 and the longitudinal central part of the bow 6 providing chan- 45 nels iii and Hwhich funnel the water into the tunnel i2 which runs rearwardly for thefull length of the hull from the point i and opens through the stern itas indicated by the numeral i4.

50 The bow 5 has a centralized depending portion defined by the funnelformations iii and H which is generally triangular in form and has laidtherealong and secured thereto the metal keel it which runs all the wayto the stern of the boat 55 Where the keel [6 has a right angularlyupwardly projecting portion i! which has bearing arms containing eyes i8and iii in which the rudder post 26 is swingably mounted to support therudder 2i in proper position at the stern of the hull.

A tiller 22 is attached to the upper end of the 5 rudder post.

Between the eye equipped arms 58 and it on vertical portion ll of thekeel is the bearing structure which is generally designated 23 whichjournals the rear end of the propeller 10 shaft 2G- which has its frontend journaied transverse partition 25 which rises from the point i andextends across the interior of the hull 5. The horizontal portion 26 ofthe keel is spaced below the top of the water tunnel i2 and lies 15along longitudinal center of the hull.

The propeller shaft 2 5 has in front of the partition 25 and located inthe space 2'5 which is doflned by the partition 25 and the prow of theboat, the sprocket wheel 28 which. is connected with the sprocket wheel29 which is located on the shaft 30 which has its front end supported ina bearing on the top of the partition 25. The shaft 36 extendsrearwardly through a supporting bearing 32 mounted on the floor 33 of 2the hull and is operatively connected to the motor or engine 3d; wherebythe propeller shaft 2 1 is driven at the required speed and with therequired power. Any suitable motor or engine 3% may be utilized. Inorder to bring the motor 30 down as low as possible so as not to have anoverbalancing effect on the hull when in the water, the engine is set ina depressed position in a pit 35 in the floor structure 33.

The propeller shaft 26 has by preference spiral 35 continuous bladestructure 35 which runs the length of the Water tunnel and the length ofthe propeller shaft 24 between the partition 25 and the stern of theboat. The bearing structure 23 of the propeller shaft has a transversebrace arrangement 31 which is attached as indicated by the numerals 38and 39 to opposite marginal portions of the stern 13, as shown in Figure4, whereby to firmly brace the rear end of the propeller shaft andinsure smooth running thereof as well as bracing the rear end of thekeel It. It is obvious that the keel l6 not only armors the prow of thehull, but provides the protection for the propeller and the watertunnel, and at the same time acts as a supporting structure for not onlythe rear end of the propeller shaft, but for the rudder, and braces thestern of the hull.

The funnels Ill and II chute the water forcibly into the water tunnel l2and pack the water in said tunnel, so that the propeller blade structure36 gets a more effective purchase upon the water, and drives the same ina whirling column forcibly rearwardly through the opening I4 at thestern of the hull, so as to forcibly and evenly propel the hull throughthe water.

If desired a sprocket chain 40 may be trained over the Wheels 28 and 29so as to form a drive connection therebetween, instead or" a directtoothed meshed drive.

Although I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire'tolimit the application of the invention thereto, and any change orchanges may be made in the materials, and in the structure andarrangement of the parts, within the spirit of the invention and thescope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:-

l, A power boat comprising a hull including a bow having water directingfunnels on its underside, said hull at its. underside having alongitudinal water tunnel into the front end of which said funnels lead,said tunnel being open at its bottom and extending uniformly from saidfunnels to the stern of the boat, longitudinal water propeller meansconfined entirely within and along said water tunnel, and means on saidhull for driving said propeller means, and a metallic keel running alongsaid bow and along said hull under and spaced from said water tunnel forprotecting the propelling means therein, the opposite ends of the keelextending upwardly at the bow and the stern and secured to the deck ofthe boat.

2. A power boat comprising a hull including a bow having Water directingfunnels on its underside, said hull at its. underside having alongitudinal water tunnel into the front end of which said funnels lead,said tunnel being open at its bottom and extending uniformly from saidfunnels to the stern of the boat, longitudinal water propeller meansconfined entirely within and along said water tunnel, and means on saidhull for driving said propeller means, and a metallic keel running alongsaid bow and along said hull under and spaced from said water tunnel forprotecting the propelling means therein, said keel having at its rearend an upstanding portion into the stern of the hull and includingrudder supporting means, the opposite ends of the keel extendingupwardly at the bow and the stern and secured to the deck of the boat.

3. A power boat comprising a hull including a bow having water directingfunnels on its underside, said hull at its underside having alongitudinal water tunnel into the front end of which said funnels lead,said tunnel being open at its bottom and extending uniformly from saidfunnels to the stern of the boat, longiiidinal water propeller meansconfined entirely within and along said water tunnel, and means on saidhull for driving said propeller means, and a metallic keel running alongsaid bow and along said hull under and spaced from said water tunnel forprotecting the propelling means therein, said keel having at its rearend an upstanding portion into the stern of the hull and includingrudder supporting means, said upstanding portion carrying bearing meansfor supporting the rear end of the propelling means, and horizontalbraces extending outwardly from opposite sides of the bearing andsecured to the stern of the hull at opposite sides of the tunnel, theopposite ends of the keel extending upwardly at the bow and the sternand secured to the deck of the boat.

JOHN ROBERT MCMUILEN.

